Changes in the world have been happening at rapid fire this year. It has caused the whole world to pause and reflect on priorities, necessities, what has been taken for granted. What did the grandmas in the world do and was it any different then the rest of us? It begged the question where was grandma during the pandemic?
After interviewing several “grandmas” in the world of COVID here is what I learned.
- Yard work became a focus – The biggest challenge with the yardwork is not being able to get support from others when/if needed. Even if there were people available the fear had grandmas holding back to get the help. I have heard story after story of yardwork taking the whole day.
- Healthcare use became a challenge – Seniors had to debate using technology for virtual visits to going in and risking exposure. I heard a 50/50 split on what happened. Several tech companies offered services to set up and support the grandmas to getting in to virtual appointments. Several grandmas I interacted with ended up with dehydration and urinary tract infections during this time. That is already a problem in seniors but many delayed going to or seeing the physician when they known symptoms.
- Embracing Technology – The haters out there in the senior world that liked human interaction became comfortable with being taught how to see people on their phones and computers. Zoom training was at an all time. I literally talked nearly 50 people through the steps to go on facetime, zoom, facebook live and just using a video component on the phone. Those that were done with it suddenly found themselves experts.
- Open Windows – One of the most beautiful changes I saw with the grandmas was the interaction they had with the rest of us. Open windows were cleaned and hands to the window became the voice of the nation. Signs and pictures and treats were passed like never before. Video after video of men and women on their open porches talking, singing and playing instruments to the whole neighborhood. We remembered the very basic of human needs and interacted in such a special way.
- Human Love – The desire to interact with one another brought the most beautiful of connections. I saw it with seniors in a Hobby Lobby Parking Lot knitting together in a circle 6 feet apart. I saw treats and gifts handed out and created by seniors for healthcare, neighbors and the needy. I saw grandmas making food for the less fortunate. I was never more proud of the human race. Grandmas were respected and acknowledged by the masses as needing to be kept safe.